Software Engineer, Networking

Summary

Join Tailscale's growing engineering team as a Software Engineer to develop and optimize networking features for the Tailscale product. You will contribute to both open-source client code and backend services, taking ownership of the entire product lifecycle. Collaborate with UX/UI designers and product managers to enhance networking capabilities. As a fully remote company, strong motivation, independent work, and asynchronous collaboration are essential. The role involves designing, building, testing, and documenting core networking software components, particularly for IoT applications. You will also lead the design and implementation of networking features, troubleshoot issues, and ensure the security and stability of networking systems.

Requirements

• Expert-level proficiency in Rust, with a proven track record of building and deploying production-quality software
• Demonstrated ability to mentor engineers in Rust and drive the adoption of Rust best practices
• Experience integrating with foreign systems written in Go, C++ or C
• Significant experience with networking software and diagnosing networking issues
• Deep understanding of networking concepts, including IP addressing, routing, NAT traversal, and VPN technologies
• Experience with distributed systems, particularly those involving real-time communication and high availability
• Flexibility to adjust to the dynamic nature of a startup
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

• Develop the Tailscale product, contributing to both open-source client code and related backend services, with an emphasis on networking features and optimizations
• Take ownership of the entire product lifecycle, from writing code to product ideation and strategic decision-making
• Work with UX/UI designers and product managers to shape features that enhance networking capabilities
• Work as part of a team of engineers to design, build, test, and document core networking software components, with a strong emphasis on the Tailscale client for IoT applications
• Lead the design and implementation of networking features in areas such as our control plane, relay infrastructure, and networking protocols, specifically tailored for embedded systems and resource-constrained environments
• Diagnose, troubleshoot, and resolve complex networking issues across different environments, including customer networks and cloud infrastructure
• Exhibit ownership over the running services that comprise Tailscale’s product by building for observability, participating in incident response, and fielding customer support escalations
• Analyze and improve the efficiency, scalability, and stability of networking systems and resources
• Bring a security-first mindset to both design and implementation, ensuring robust and secure networking components
• Provide technical leadership and mentorship to other engineers, fostering a culture of learning and knowledge sharing
• Drive the adoption of Rust best practices within the team, including code reviews, tooling, and testing
• Contribute to the design and architecture of the IoT-specific Tailscale client
• Evaluate and integrate relevant third-party libraries and tools

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with embedded systems development and real-time operating systems (RTOS) is a plus

Benefits

• A competitive total compensation package. This includes a base salary, an equity incentive plan and variable commission (for quota-based roles)
• Comprehensive group benefits with no waiting period. Take advantage of coverage for health, vision, dental, and more for you and your family!
• Remote first company —most of our teams work fully remotely. Enjoy a change of scenery wherever you can get wifi, participate in virtual and in-person social events, and leverage our corporate co-working program to visit WeWork (or other similar spaces near you). Some roles require in-office collaboration depending on team needs, which will be clearly noted in the job description
• Connect with other Tailscalars IRL. Attend our annual company retreat, participate in team/department off-sites, or use your individual travel budget to meet up with team members in Canada, the US, or the UK
• Support for your personal and professional development. Grow your career thoughtfully with $1500 USD annually for professional development, or take advantage of mentorship, coaching, and internal promotion opportunities
• Paid time off and a healthy work-life integration. Our flexible, paid time off program supports you for any situation life throws your way, whether moving homes or travelling the world!
• A build-your-own home office setup. You choose your own company-owned laptop (Mac or PC), receive a monthly home internet reimbursement, and $1000 USD to customize your workstation to make it your own
• Generous parental leave program from your first day. We care about your life outside of work and encourage new parents to take advantage of parental leave top-ups for up to 26 weeks